How a Route 66-Inspired Self-Guided Tour Helped Tucumcari Share It's Story
Dec 24, 2025
A Self-Guided Tour that Tells a Community Story
If you're wondering what a self-guided tour is, Tucumcari, New Mexico, offers the perfect example.
Using Driftscape’s digital tourism platform, their tourism team turned Route 66 heritage into a mobile-friendly experience: no app, no printouts, no coding required.
In just a few months, the tour earned 911 total POI views, with one stop alone drawing over 600 views. For a small town with limited resources, that’s more than engagement, it's proof that self-guided tours work.
“Instead of watching people drive through town, we gave them a reason to stop, explore, and connect.”
How It Worked: Digital Map, Real Stories
The Explore Tucumcari team used Driftscape to create a city tour app experience that highlighted murals, museums, and local businesses.
Visitors could scan a code or tap a link (no app download required) to explore stories along Route 66. Each point of interest (POI) featured photos, history, and navigation, layered into one simple map.
The entire experience was created quickly using Driftscape’s tools, zero developers needed.
A Self-Guided Tour that Tells a Community Story
If you're wondering what a self-guided tour is, Tucumcari, New Mexico, offers the perfect example.
Using Driftscape’s digital tourism platform, their tourism team turned Route 66 heritage into a mobile-friendly experience: no app, no printouts, no coding required.
In just a few months, the tour earned 911 total POI views, with one stop alone drawing over 600 views. For a small town with limited resources, that’s more than engagement, it's proof that self-guided tours work.
“Instead of watching people drive through town, we gave them a reason to stop, explore, and connect.”
How It Worked: Digital Map, Real Stories
The Explore Tucumcari team used Driftscape to create a city tour app experience that highlighted murals, museums, and local businesses.
Visitors could scan a code or tap a link (no app download required) to explore stories along Route 66. Each point of interest (POI) featured photos, history, and navigation, layered into one simple map.
The entire experience was created quickly using Driftscape’s tools, zero developers needed.
Proving the Power of Local Exploration
The Route 66 Centennial Tour drew the most attention. Total views hit 911, showing how powerful even a soft launch can be when the content is meaningful.
Visitors came from within 5 km: mostly locals rediscovering their own town. One person spent over 2 hours exploring the tour, revealing how immersive travel storytelling can deepen engagement without a guide.
Why This Works for Heritage Tours and Small Towns
Tucumcari’s approach fits a growing trend: self-guided tours as a low-cost, high-impact way to support cultural tourism.
By focusing on community stories and visitor freedom, they delivered a heritage site digital tour platform that anyone can access even without strong cell service.
“It’s the kind of map that helps locals feel proud and gives visitors something to remember.”
What Tourism Professionals Can Learn
Self-guided tours aren’t just for big cities. With the right theme and tools, any destination can:
Create a local attractions app in under 30 minutes
Turn murals, parks, or main streets into interactive tourism maps
Track which stops resonate using built-in analytics
Add layers like coupons or contests to increase participation
Takeaway
Explore Tucumcari launched a self-guided city tour app to showcase Route 66 landmarks and quickly reached 911 total views, with no extra staffing or marketing budget.
Visitors stayed longer, explored deeper, and reconnected with their town’s story.
This is what self-guided tourism looks like and why it's catching on with DMOs and small towns across America and Canada.
Want to Launch Your Own Tour Without the Overhead?
Driftscape helps tourism teams create, publish, and track interactive city tours, no coding, no downloads, no delay.
Ready to see your town through fresh eyes?
Book a Demo to build your self-guided tour today.